Watson Taunts Purdy

Craig Watson has stoked the flames ahead of his British welterweight championship rematch against Lee Purdy telling the Essex man: “You’re not that good.”

Purdy caused the biggest domestic boxing upset so far this year in April stopping Watson in five rounds, taking his treasured domestic title.

And Hatton Promotions have handed Watson an immediate chance of revenge in a return showdown at Oldham Sports Centre on July 16.

Watson who will also benefit from home advantage said: “He isn’t that good. I was playing with him and he caught me with a good shot.

“I might not think Lee is anything special, but I can’t take anything away from him because he has got the title.

“I didn’t have any pop in our first fight even though I was winning and it was perhaps too soon after I beat John O’Donnell”

Hatton Promotions President Ricky Hatton said: “Again Hatton Promotions are proving that when our fighters suffer a setback we give them opportunities to correct what went wrong.

“Craig knows it all went wrong last month and although Purdy is tough and powerful, I am backing my man to become champion again.

“Craig proved he can bounce back when he got revenge over John O’Donnell so I have every reason to be confident.

“There has been a great response from the public in Oldham so the crowd should be lifting the roof off.”

In the chief supporting contests Watson’s fellow Oldham fighter Darren Stubbs challenges Bob Ajisafe for the vacant English light-heavyweight title.

British welterweight champion Denton Vassell is also in action when he boxes a six round non-title fight.

Hatton Promotions youngsters on the bill include Keiron Maher, Austin Hornsby, Dean Halsall and Matthew Clarkson.

The show is not being televised and tickets are selling fast for Watson’s revenge missing and are available prices £35, £55 and £75 VIP from 01925 755222